Nuclear Waste Management using Electrometallurgical Technology
Overview
The NE system engineering activities involve the conceptual design, through the manufacturing and
qualification testing of the Mk-IV and Mk-V electrorefiner and the cathode processor. These
first-of-a-kind large scale electrometallurgical process equipment have been installed in the Fuel Conditioning
Facility at
Idaho National Laboratory and have been operating since 1995.
The proto-type cathode was designed, built and
installed in Building 308 where experiments are conducted.
EBR-II Spent Fuel Treatment Flowsheet
(
See
full-size image)
A prototype cathode processor, essentially identical to the unit located in the hot cell at
Idaho National Laboratory , was
built and installed in Building 308 at Argonne-E. This unit is used for tests which explore different crucibles,
crucible coatings, and processing methods. The prototype is well-suited for this task because it is easier to modify
than the unit at
Idaho National Laboratory and is not constrained by the need to continually process electrorefiner product.
Contact:
Engineering Development and Applications Department
Dept. Manager: C. Grandy
Fax: +1 630-252-7577
